Today, I’m examining the trend of direct flash for wedding photos and the ways it could give a modern and fresh look to your wedding pictures. As an experienced Boston wedding photographer, I try to keep up-to-date with the latest trends in photography and techniques so that I can offer the highest quality service to my customers. Let’s get started!
Before we dive deeper into direct flash trends, let’s define some key terms:
Ambient lighting: It refers to natural light in the scene, like the moonlight, sunlight or artificial light sources such as overhead lighting or lamps.
Flash that bounces: This technique involves using the flash to illuminate the surface, such as a ceiling or wall that allows that light bounces off and then indirectly light up the object. This produces a soft and more diffuse effect when in comparison with direct flash.
Understanding these terms can make it easier to understand the distinctions in direct and indirect flash, as well as other techniques for lighting that Boston wedding photographers.
What is direct flash?
Direct flash is an on-camera flash that is pointed straight at the target, which results in a bright, well-lit image. It differs from other flash methods, like bounce or off-camera flash which diffuses light and creates a more soft look.
What is the reason direct flash has become so popular in wedding photography?
Direct Flash has gained popularity because of it’s ability to record the pure and authentic emotions of an event. This technique gives a distinctive contemporary look on wedding photos. Boston wedding photographs which sets the images apart from traditional wedding pictures.
What Is The Best Flash For Wedding Reception?
The most effective flash for direct flash when photographing an event will be Flashpoint Zoom Li-ion Mini TTL R2. It’s light and has an lithium battery, meaning I do not have to replace my batteries for an event. They come with a built-in radio Transceiver that makes it easy for photographers to create the multi-flash configuration.
I bring only the bare minimum of wedding equipment for photography for the wedding day. If I carry at least two in my bags, I’ll have enough lighting in almost every situation. Overall, I would say that this Flashpoint Zoom Li-on Mini TTL R2 is my favorite choice when it comes to wedding receptions. It’s a perfect blend of convenience and performance that’s difficult to beat.
Techniques For Using Direct Flash At Wedding Receptions
For the best outcomes with direct flash, it’s important to balance the flash’s intensity with the ambient light. Here are some ways the wedding photographers in Boston can use direct flash for your wedding pictures:
Camera settings:
Direct flash is a great option, but it is recommended to experiment with different shutter speed, apertures, as well as ISO settings. In general, a higher shutter speed (1/100 or greater) and an aperture that is smaller (f/2.8 or f/9.) can help you make the flash more balanced with ambient light. Maintain the ISO setting as low as you can (100-400) to reduce noise.
When I’m shooting an event with direct flash, I mount my Flashpoint flash onto my camera using an angle of 45 degrees. I choose manually and then set the flash’s power to the lowest setting and set the zoom to 70mm. After that, I set my camera settings for 1/200 f/2.8 as well as ISO 320.
Flash modifiers:
You can utilize grids, diffusers, or snoots to regulate the direction and distribution of the light coming emanating from the flash. This can create an elegant look for photographs of weddings with direct flash.
Positioning:
Explore the angle of your flash in relation to the subject. A camera that is angled will create fascinating shadows and highlights, giving depth and dimension to your photographs.
